SHILLONG: Association of Democracy and Empowerment has demanded a judicial inquiry into the recent incidents that unfolded with regards to the illegal confinement of 12 girls who are alleged to be sex workers by five women claiming to be NGO workers, saying that the incident has left the whole community confused and uncertain on how to react to the whole state of affairs.
“It has hinted at the possible existence of flesh trading in the town of Tura which was earlier unheard of or never reported of. Whereas, it has also posed the question of the legality and compatibility of ‘vigilante justice’ carried out by unauthorized individual or group of individuals. The incident raised many questions with regards to the nexus of the vigilantes with the head of the district administration, a senior police official and even a certain militant group,” the ADE said in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
The Association said that the issue of women being engaged to the business of prostitution was of concern to the community and it should be the collective effort of everyone to help the authorities to curb out this social evil and helping all those involved in the profession to get back to mainstream society.
“We request all citizens that any information of any activity of prostitution be informed to the authorities concerned – the district administration, the Social Welfare department, Women’s Commission, etc. It is also high time that the Government of Meghalaya should initiate to set up a women’s shelter home in Tura at the earliest,” the ADE said.